Official U.S. Senate voting records

Trump's DEA Nominee Chad Chronister Criticized for Arresting Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne During Covid Lockdowns

Dec 1, 2024, 07:59 PM

President Donald Trump has nominated Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), sparking significant controversy due to Chronister's past actions during the Covid-19 lockdowns. In 2020, Chronister arrested Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for holding church services in violation of public health orders, an action that has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Representative Thomas Massie and political commentators. Critics argue that this move shows a lack of discernment in enforcing draconian laws. Additionally, Chronister's policies during the lockdown, such as imposing curfews and withholding taxpayer money from unvaccinated deputies, have further fueled the debate over his suitability for the DEA role. Despite these controversies, some supporters point out that Governor DeSantis had set similar standards during the same period, suggesting a broader context to Chronister's decisions.